Pastors walk into the Christmas season carrying more than sermons and service plans. They carry the emotional, spiritual, and relational weight of an entire congregation during one of the busiest ministry months of the year. That’s why the words we choose during December matter. A few thoughtful adjustments can build up rather than drain the leaders who serve us so faithfully.
What Pastors Wish People Understood About Christmas Pressure
Christmas is beautiful, but it’s also exhausting for ministry leaders. Services multiply. Expectations rise. Family rhythms get stretched thin. Even well-intentioned comments can land in the wrong way simply because pastors are operating at maximum capacity.
RELATED: Christmas Preparation for Pastors
This list isn’t about scolding anyone. It’s about equipping church members to encourage rather than burden their leaders, especially during a time when spiritual impact is high and emotional margins are low.
12 Things Not to Say During the Christmas Season
1. “Christmas is my favorite—please make this year extra special!”
It’s natural to want a meaningful service, but this request adds pressure. Instead, offer encouragement such as “Thank you for all the work you put into this season.”
2. “We’re heading out of town, so we won’t be serving.”
Pastors understand travel, but last-minute cancellations create real stress. If possible, provide notice early or help identify a replacement.
3. “I hope the sermon is shorter than last year.”
Comments like this sting more deeply than people realize. If you desire shorter services, phrase it respectfully: “What time should we expect the service to end?”
4. “Are we doing anything to top last Christmas Eve service?”
Pastors aren’t trying to produce a competition. They’re trying to shepherd souls. Celebrate faithfulness, not performance.
5. “Why didn’t we sing my favorite Christmas song?”
Music is deeply personal, but seasonal planning involves dozens of factors. A better approach is to thank your worship leader or pastor for the songs that helped you worship.
6. “Too many guests showed up—parking was impossible.”
Your pastor is praying for that exact problem. Celebrate that people are hearing the gospel. Ask how you can help greet, usher, or free up seats for guests.
7. “You must love this season since you only work on Sundays.”
Pastors may smile politely, but comments like this dismiss the heavy workload behind the scenes. Instead, ask how you can pray for them during this busy month.
